Male Japanese Quail Research Articles

Specific Activation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Beta Enhances Male Sexual Behavior and Neuroplasticity in Male Japanese Quail

Two subtypes of estrogen receptors (ER), ERα and ERβ, have been identified in humans and numerous vertebrates, including the Japanese quail. We investigated in this species the specific role(s) of each receptor in the activation of male sexual behavior and the underlying estrogen-dependent neural plasticity. Castrated male Japanese quail received empty (CX) or testosterone-filled (T) implants or were daily injected with the ER general agonist diethylstilbestrol (DES), the ERα-specific agonist PPT, the ERβ-specific agonist DPN or the vehicle, propylene glycol. Three days after receiving the first treatment, subjects were alternatively tested for appetitive (rhythmic cloacal sphincter movements, RCSM) and consummatory aspects (copulatory behavior) of male sexual behavior. 24 hours after the last behavioral testing, brains were collected and analyzed for aromatase expression and vasotocinergic innervation in the medial preoptic nucleus. The expression of RCSM was activated by T and to a lesser extent by DES and PPT but not by the ERβagonist DPN. In parallel, T fully restored the complete sequence of copulation, DES was partially active and the specific activation of ERα or ERβ only resulted in a very low frequency of mount attempts in few subjects. T increased the volume of the medial preoptic nucleus as measured by the dense cluster of aromatase-immunoreactive cells and the density of the vasotocinergic innervation within this nucleus. DES had only a weak action on vasotocinergic fibers and the two specific ER agonists did not affect these neural responses. Simultaneous activation of both receptors or treatments with higher doses may be required to fully activate sexual behavior and the associated neurochemical events.

Copulatory behaviors and body condition predict post-mating female hormone concentrations, fertilization success, and primary sex ratios in Japanese quail

Environmental cues and social interactions are known to influence reproductive physiology and behavior in vertebrates. In female birds, male courtship displays can result in the growth of ovarian follicles, the production of reproductive hormones, and stimulation of oviduct development, all of which have the potential to influence maternal investment. Male Japanese quail follow a typical sequence of copulatory behaviors during a mating interaction and often force copulations with unreceptive females. We hypothesized that female Japanese quail could adjust maternal investment in response to male copulatory behaviors during a single mating interaction. We investigated the relationships between 1) male copulatory behaviors and post-mating concentrations of steroids in the female, 2) female steroid concentrations and fertilization success of inseminations and 3) female steroid concentrations and the offspring sex ratio. We found that male condition and copulatory behaviors predicted female steroid concentrations and maternal investment in eggs laid after a mating trial. The body condition of one or both mates was a significant predictor of the changes in female corticosterone and testosterone concentrations after mating, whereas specific male copulatory behaviors significantly predicted changes in female progesterone concentrations. Male and female body condition, male neck grabs and post-mating concentrations of female corticosterone, progesterone, and testosterone were all significant predictors of egg fertilization rates. Female body condition, male copulation efficiency, and female testosterone concentrations were significant predictors of offspring sex ratios. Our results show that phenotypic and behavioral characteristics of male Japanese quail modulate female steroid concentrations and result in changes in maternal investment.

Composição química e valor energético de alimentos de origem animal utilizados na alimentação de codornas japonesas

Avaliaram-se a composição química e o valor energético de farinhas de resíduos de abatedouro para machos de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Foram utilizadas 320 codornas machos, com 32 dias de idade, distribuídas em delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco dietas (uma referência e quatro dietas-teste), cada uma avaliada com oito repetições de oito aves por unidade experimental. As farinhas substituíram 25% da dieta-referência e seus valores de energia metabolizável, assim como os coeficientes de metabolizabilidade, foram determinados pelo método de coleta total de excretas. Os valores de energia metabolizável aparente (kcal/kg) e aparente corrigida para balanço de nitrogênio (kcal/kg) são, respectivamente, de 2.152 e 2.142 para a farinha de carne e ossos; de 3.139 e 3.137 para a farinha de penas; de 2.658 e 2.651 para a farinha de peixe; e de 3.692 e 3.668 para a farinha de vísceras de aves. Os coeficientes de metabolizabilidade são de 60,51% para farinha de carne e ossos; 59,25% para a farinha de penas; 64,09% para farinha de peixe; e 78,64% para a farinha de vísceras de aves.

The effects of simulated microgravity on skeletal muscle of Japanese quail: transmission electron microscopic study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of simulated microgravity (hypodynamia) on the structure of the skeletal muscle (m. gastrocnemius) in developing Japanese quail by transmission electron microscopy. Samples of muscle tissues from experimental (n = 28) and control (n = 28) birds were collected at day 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56 of age. The structure of m. gastrocnenmius was changed depending on hypodynamia length. The first extensive structural changes were found on day 14 of age. The mitochondria were enlarged and the spaces between the myofibrils were slightly extended compared to control. The sarcomeres were irregular and lipid droplets occurred in the sarcoplasm. Further developmental changes occurred on day 28 of age. Mitochondria fused into the giant mitochondria which frequently exceeded the length of one sarcomere. Moreover, at 42 days of age, beside the above mentioned changes, sarcoplasmic reticulum was dilated and the number of mitochondrial cristae was reduced. However, the structure of m. gastrocnemius on day 56 was less damaged compared to the damage observed on day 42 of age. Presented results indicate that the continuous stay of male Japanese quail under simulated microgravity has a negative impact on the structure of m. gastrocnemius, but also the ability of muscle tissue to cope with these specific conditions.

The influence of inclusions of vitamin E and corn oil on semen traits of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Reported was an investigation of the effect of vitamin E (Vit.E) and corn oil on semen traits of male Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica). From 8 to 20 wk of age, birds were raised on corn-based diets supplemented with corn oil (0 and 3%) and Vit.E (National Research Council (NRC) recommended 25 mg/kg/day/dry matter and 150 mg/kg/day/dry matter) in a 2 × 2 factorial manner. The diet was supplemented with corn oil and Vit.E (E2C2) which provided additional n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the form of 20:4 n-6 and 22:4 n-6 in spermatozoa phospholipid. The left testes weights were increased ( P < 0.01) in groups that received Vit.E in the diet (3.95 and 4.12 g, respectively) ( P = 0.03) and combined testes weight was the greatest in E2C2 group (7.57 g) ( P = 0.02). Semen volume increased throughout the experiment in the E2C2 group. E2C1 and E2C2 birds had the greatest (90.05% and 92.1%, respectively) live sperm percent by comparison with other groups. The susceptibility of semen to lipid peroxidation in vitro was increased in quail fed E1C1 and E1C2, but was reduced when 150 mg Vit.E kg/day/dry matter feed was provided in the diet. The amount of Vit.E in the seminal plasma of E1C1 and E1C2 groups was ( P < 0.01) less than that in the other two groups (E2C1 and E2C2). From this study, it may be concluded that increasing diet n-6/ n-3 ratio can be beneficial for semen traits, however, this application increased sperm peroxidation sensitivity but it can be controlled by inclusion of antioxidant such as Vit.E (150 mg/kg/day/dry matter) to diet.

Cloacal gland foam enhances motility and disaggregation of spermatozoa in Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica)

The adult male Japanese quail produces white foam from the cloacal gland, which is transferred to the female proctodeum during natural mating. The physiological role of foam on quail spermatozoa is still unclear. Therefore, attempts have been made to understand the effect of cloacal foam on motility and metabolism of quail spermatozoa. The profile of various biochemical constitutes in the foam extract was investigated. The addition of foam extract to neat semen completely disaggregated the clumps of spermatozoa leading to vigorous motility. The metabolic rate (MBRT) of the spermatozoa was significantly increased with the addition of foam extract. The foam extract was sub fractionated into seven different fractions by using the molecular cut off devices. Among all the seven sub-fractions from the foam extract, the addition of < 1 KDa sub-fraction contained lactate and has enhanced sperm motility and metabolism. Another fraction (3–10 KDa) has non-protein and non-heparin components which completely disaggregated the clumped quail spermatozoa. However, the remaining fractions did not show any effect on quail spermatozoa. It can be concluded from the present investigation that the lactate present in foam might be a fuel for sperm metabolism and motility. Furthermore, low molecular weight (3–10 KDa) components in the foam may responsible for sperm disaggregation.

Pathological and genotoxic effects of atrazine in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The objective of the present study was to determine the pathological and genotoxic effects of atrazine (ATZ) in male Japanese quail. Adult male Japanese quail were administered ATZ daily at 0-500 mg/kg bw (A-H groups) orally for 45 days. The blood and morbid tissues were collected at day 15, 30, and 45 of the treatment. A significant decrease in feed intake, body weight, erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit values were observed at high ATZ dose compared to control. Leukocyte counts decreased significantly throughout the experiment in groups E-H (50-500 mg/kg bw). Grossly, testes from ATZ treated birds were comparatively smaller in size. Histologically, seminiferous tubules of testes in group H (500 mg/kg bw) exhibited decreased number of spermatocytes, necrotic nuclei of spermatids, and lesser number or absence of spermatozoa. Biliary hyperplasia and vacuolar degeneration in liver and mild renal tubular necrosis was observed in birds higher doses. Significantly longer comet tails of DNA damage in leukocytes and isolated hepatocytes were recorded with 500 mg/kg bw ATZ.

Effect of n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acid Supplemented Diets on Semen Quality in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The present work aimed to compare the effect of different dietary oil sources on semen characteristics of quail males. Japanese quail males (21 per diet) were fed one of four treatment diets: diet containing sunflower oil (T1), flax oil (T2), corn oil (T3), or fish oil (T4) as the oil source. Birds were 6 weeks old at the beginning of experiment. Following two weeks of adaptation period, semen was collected twice a week fortnightly from each male to evaluate semen traits included in this study. First semen collection was used to evaluate ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, live in total sperm, live normal sperm, sperm quality factor and abnormal sperm, while the second semen collection was used after pooled the semen of each replicate (7 male each) for determine semen glucose, protein, Aspartate Aminotrnsferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP). Results of this study revealed that fish oil group (T4) surpasses other treatment groups as regards all semen characteristics involved in this study followed by the results of flax oil (T2), whereas the worst results for these traits were recorded when the diets of quail males supplemented with sunflower oil (T1) and corn oil (T3). In conclusion, fish oil and flax oil supplemented diets can be used as efficient tool for improving reproductive performance of Japanese quail males.

Optimal Outbreeding and the Development of Sexual Preferences in Japanese Quail

Adult male Japanese quail and, to a lesser extent, adult females were likely to approach a member of the opposite sex which they had not seen before in preference to one with which they grew up. However, they only did this if the group in which they were reared when young contained a particular number of the opposite sex: two females in the case of males and three males in the case of females. The result is explained in terms of the likelihood of the novel member of the opposite sex being slightly different from those with which the birds grew up. If the number of individuals of the opposite sex is small, a novel one is likely to be unacceptably strange, and if the number is high any novel bird from a limited laboratory stock is likely to resemble one or other of the familiar birds. A functional explanation for the quail's behaviour in terms of optical outbreeding is discussed.

Effects of social experience on subsequent sexual performance in naïve male Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica)

On their first sexual encounter, naïve male Japanese quail will attend to and approach a female; they sometimes mount but they do not always copulate. During the second encounter, most males successfully copulate. Although sexual experience facilitates subsequent sexual interactions, sensory cues provided by females, independent of any sexual encounter, may also enhance sexual performance. To investigate whether previous exposure to a conspecific affects subsequent sexual behavior, we allowed inexperienced males to observe an empty box, or a conspecific consisting of either an experienced female or male for 2.5 min/day on 7 days. Measures of appetitive sexual behavior were recorded during these tests. On day 8, subjects were allowed to copulate with a novel female for 5 min. On the following days, all subjects were repeatedly provided with visual access to a female and allowed to mate. In the pre-copulatory trials males initially exhibited a high frequency of appetitive responses that dissipated with repetition. Pre-copulatory experience also significantly affected motivation to mate with subjects exposed to females copulating more quickly than other subjects. Post-copulatory appetitive behavior also differed between groups: control subjects showed the highest behavioral frequency followed by males exposed to females and finally males exposed to males. These data indicate that pre-copulatory social experience profoundly influences subsequent sexual behavior and probably reproductive success. This experience effect is independent of any hormonal effect (such as one resulting from changes in secretion following different social interactions) given that the subjects were castrates chronically treated with testosterone.

The Effect of Different Foam Concentrations on Sperm Motility in Japanese Quail

A study was conducted to determine the effect of foam extract on sperm motility in the male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Adult male quails (<12 weeks) of heavy body weight strain were housed in individual cages and divided into 5 groups according to the size of their cloacal glands. The data indicated that the size of the cloacal gland was positively correlated with the frequency of foam secretion and total foam production. One gram of freshly collected clean foam was mixed with 1.0 mL of normal saline and homogenized for 10 minutes. After centrifugation at 35 000 rpm, the supernatant was used as 100% foam extract. The extract was diluted to 1:40, 1:20, 1:10, and 1:4 with normal saline to produce 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 25% foam extracts, respectively. 5% foam extract enhanced sperm survival at room temperature (30°–35°C) for 2 to 3 hrs, whereas higher concentrations (10% and above) suppressed sperm motility. From this study, it may be concluded that foam secretion and quantity of foam are directly proportional to the size of the cloacal gland and that the foam enhances and prolongs sperm motility, in vitro at an optimum concentration of 5%.

BЛИЯНИЕ НА ДОБАВКАТА НА ЕКСТРАКТ ОТ TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS ВЪРХУ НОСЛИВОСТТA И КАЧЕСТВОТО НА ЯЙЦАТА ПРИ ЯПОНСКИ ПЪДПЪДЪЦИ

The aim of the current work was to examine the influence of Bulgarian phytoproduct VemoHerb T (dry extract of Tribulus terrestris –TT) on laying productivity of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and their egg morphological and sensor properties. A trial was organized with 52 female and 16 male Japanese quails from the breed Faraon at the age of 44 days randomly divided in four groups – control and three experimental groups, 13 female and 4 male each. All birds were fed ad libitum the same compound feed for Japanese quails. The trial lasted 10 weeks. The experimental groups received with the drink water the tested product in following daily doses: 4mg/kg body weight (10weeks); 10mg/kg body weight (the first 5 weeks of the trial); 10mg/kg body weight (10 weeks) for Ist, IInd , IIInd experimental groups respectively. The addition of TT-extract improved significantly the laying productivity. It was found significant higher values of egg weight, albumen - and yolk weight in quails from IInd and IIIrd experimental groups. There was a tendency to increase the egg shell weight and egg shell thickness in all treated groups in comparison to the control group. The usе of VemoHerb T did not aggravate the sensor properties of the quails’ eggs.

Effect of the density of conspecifics on runway social reinstatement behavior of male Japanese quail genetically selected for contrasting adrenocortical responsiveness to stress

Runway tests are considered indicative of underlying sociality in birds and their ability to make social discriminations and establish interactions among conspecifics. Herein, social reinstatement behavior in male juvenile Japanese quail selected for a reduced (LS, low stress) or exaggerated (HS, high stress) adrenocortical response to brief mechanical restraint was evaluated. Individual males were given the choice to reinstate with either 2 (low density, LD) or 8 (high density, HD) unfamiliar randombred conspecifics placed in goal boxes at opposite ends of a two-choice runway (TCRW). Then, the same males were individually retested in a single goal box runway wherein they were exposed to a goal box containing either a LD or a HD of males. In the TCRW, a higher (P < 0.01) number of HS males started their ambulation toward the goal box containing the HD as opposed to LD of conspecifics. The HS males also spent more (P < 0.01) time in close proximity (within a 10-cm close zone; CZ) to the HD (218 s) rather than LD (57 s) of conspecifics. In contrast, the LS males did not differ in their initial direction of travel and they spent similar average amounts of times in the CZ of their stimulus LD (141 s) and HD (124 s) conspecifics. Similar to the TCRW results, in the single goal box runway, HS males spent more (P < 0.01) time in the CZ of HD rather than LD conspecifics, whereas LS quail spent similar amounts of time in the CZ of LD and HD males. Considering that runways are novel (and therefore frightening) environments, our findings suggest that HS quail may find better shelter (i.e., more comfort) in close proximity to a larger rather than smaller group of conspecifics, whereas LS birds find groups of varying conspecific density equally attractive. The results suggest that LS quail possess favorable social adaptive qualities because they appear to be better suited to cope with situations where the density of conspecifics is variable.

Toxicopathological Effects of Endosulfan (Thiodan ® EC 35) in Male Japanese Quail

Toxicopathological Effects of Endosulfan (Thiodan ® EC 35) in Male Japanese Quail

Chronic preexposure to methylphenidate cross-sensitizes methamphetamine in male Japanese quail

An increasing debate exists about the potential of exposure to methylphenidate increasing later risk of drug abuse. The objective of this study was to investigate whether chronic preexposure to methylphenidate would induce cross-sensitization to a subsequent methamphetamine challenge in male Japanese quail. Male quail were treated intraperitoneally with either 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg methylphenidate or saline for 14 days. After a 14-day washout period, birds were challenged with 5.6 mg/kg of methamphetamine. Methylphenidate-induced behavioral sensitization was not evident after 14 days of preexposure. However, locomotor activity was greater during the methamphetamine challenge in birds that were preexposed to a high dose of methylphenidate. The findings suggest that chronic preexposure to methylphenidate may be sufficient to alter later responding to methamphetamine, regardless of whether preexposure resulted in behavioral sensitization.

Behavioral Effects of Brain‐derived Estrogens in Birds

In birds as in other vertebrates, estrogens produced in the brain by aromatization of testosterone have widespread effects on behavior. Research conducted with male Japanese quail demonstrates that effects of brain estrogens on all aspects of sexual behavior, including appetitive and consummatory components as well as learned aspects, can be divided into two main classes based on their time course. First, estrogens via binding to estrogen receptors regulate the transcription of a variety of genes involved primarily in neurotransmission. These neurochemical effects ultimately result in the activation of male copulatory behavior after a latency of a few days. Correlatively, testosterone and its aromatized metabolites increase the transcription of the aromatase mRNA, resulting in an increased concentration and activity of the enzyme that actually precedes behavioral activation. Second, recent studies with quail demonstrate that brain aromatase activity can also be modulated within minutes by phosphorylation processes regulated by changes in intracellular calcium concentration, such as those associated with glutamatergic neurotransmission. The rapid upregulations or downregulations of brain estrogen concentration (presumably resulting from these changes in aromatase activity) affect, by nongenomic mechanisms with relatively short latencies (frequency increases or decreases respectively within 10-15 min), the expression of male sexual behavior in quail and also in rodents. Brain estrogens thus affect behavior on different time scales by genomic and nongenomic mechanisms similar to those of a hormone or a neurotransmitter.

Organizational effects of DDE on brain vasotocin system in male Japanese quail

p,p′-DDE, or ethylene, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl), is the main metabolite of the pesticide DDT, or 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane. It is an androgen receptor antagonist and testosterone hydroxylase modulator that is also more persistent than its parent compound. In a previous study we demonstrated that embryonic exposure to different doses of p,p′-DDE accelerated onset of puberty in females and reduced male reproductive behavior. In the present study we investigated the long-term effects of the exposure to p,p′-DDE on the differentiation of male Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica) limbic circuits related to male copulatory behavior: the parvocellular vasotocin (VT) system. We observed a decrease in the density of VT-immunoreactive fibers within the medial preoptic nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and lateral septum in p,p′-DDE-treated birds, while no differences could be detected in the magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic nucleus. In particular the lowest dose of p,p′-DDE causes the highest decrease of VT immunoreactivity. This study provides further evidence for VT system sensitivity towards endocrine disrupting chemicals and demonstrates that the VT system may be an appropriate and sensitive biomarker for early p,p′-DDE exposure in birds.

Methamphetamine impairs sexual motivation but not sexual performance in male Japanese quail.

The present study investigated the effects of chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine on sexual motivation and performance in male Japanese quail. Quail were pre-exposed to methamphetamine (1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg ip) or saline (ip) once daily for 10 days and locomotor activity was measured. After a 10 day washout period, sexual motivation was measured in a straight-arm runway with visual access to a female at one end. Three to 5 hr after sexual motivation tests, males were allowed to copulate with a receptive female quail and copulatory behavior was assessed. Tests were conducted once per day for 10 days. Results showed that males pre-exposed to methamphetamine had decreased locomotor activity compared to saline controls. Males pre-exposed to METH later ran slower toward a female in the runway and spent less time near her. In contrast, methamphetamine pre-exposed males showed similar copulatory behavior as saline pre-exposed males. The findings suggest that chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine may impair sexual motivation but not sexual performance. The findings are discussed from a comparative perspective and with regard to their clinical relevance.

Effect of Simulated Microgravity on Sexual Development of Male Japanese Quail

Hypodynamia can be used to simulate weightlessness in laboratory conditions. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of chronic hypodynamia on the growth and development of the testes and cloacal gland, and plasma testosterone concentration in Japanese quail. The testis weight in males reared under hypodynamia was significantly lower compared to agematched control between 21 and 63 days of age (P &lt; 0.05). The cloacal gland area of experimental birds calculated from its width and length was also smaller in comparison with control quail from 35 to 56 days of age (P &lt; 0.05). The foam production was significantly lower in hypodynamia males at age 35, 42, 49 and 63 days (P &lt; 0.05). The plasma testosterone concentration was significantly reduced in hypodynamia birds between 35 and 70 days of age (P &lt; 0.05), with the exception of day 56. These results provide further evidence that although hypodynamia negatively affects the examined variables, the male Japanese quail is able to develop normally under conditions of simulated weightlessness.

Mucuna pruriens seed powder feeding influences reproductive conditions and development in Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

This study was designed to test whether Mucuna pruriens, a natural source of l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA, a dopamine precursor) feeding, can influence development and reproductive conditions in the high food value bird, Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Experiments were performed in both male and female Japanese quail. One-week-old quail chicks were divided into three groups of 36 birds each. Group I was provided with normal diet and served as control. Group II was provided with food mixed with l-DOPA (50 mg/15 g food) and Group III was provided with food mixed with M. pruriens seed powder (480 g/kg food). At the age of 3 weeks (when birds were sexually distinguished) Group I was divided into two sub-groups IA (male) and IB (female) of six birds each. Similarly, Groups II and III were sub-divided into IIA (male), IIB (female) and IIIA (male), IIIB (female), respectively, of six birds each. Observations were made up to the age of 5 weeks. Male experimental groups (IIA and IIIA) showed significantly increased testicular activity, cloacal gland volume, body weight (BW), plasma testosterone and LH level in comparison to control (IA). Similarly female experimental groups (IIB and IIIB) showed significantly greater weight of reproductive organs (uterus, ovary, oviduct and ovarian follicle), BW, egg weight and size and number of follicles. On the other hand, plasma prolactin level was significantly low in comparison to control (IB). Results suggest that M. pruriens is a rich natural source of l-DOPA and the development and reproduction in Japanese quail might be associated with the dopaminergic system of the brain.